PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD since October 15, 2009, and a 30 percent rating prior to that date. The decision is based on the severity of symptoms including depression, auditory hallucinations, increased irritability, avoidance of social activity, nightmares, disturbed sleep, some homicidal thoughts, and paranoia.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the manifestations of his PTSD more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 9, 2006. The VA examiner noted that the Veteran experiences intrusive memories and avoidance behaviors related to his trauma, but does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to reduced reliability and productivity.

The appellant withdrew her appeals for entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and for DIC benefits.,The March 1978 rating decision denying TDIU was not found to contain CUE.

The Veteran's PTSD has not caused significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating no higher than 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and erectile dysfunction, as well as the denial of service connection for an eye disorder, are being denied. The appeal for special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his active military service and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be related to his service in the Gulf War, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and finds sufficient evidence to grant service connection for PTSD, effective from the date of death.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms include intrusive thoughts, sleep disturbance, flashbacks, hypervigilance, avoidance of people, depression, irritability, and excessive anger coupled with an intense fascination with guns. The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and a psychosis may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination by a VA psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective from May 23, 2008. The claim for service connection of bronchitis/COPD and spastic colitis secondary to PTSD was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, and assigned a 50% evaluation for PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD due to in-service sexual assault. The low back disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depression are related to his active service, granting him service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran seeks to have the effective date for his service-connected PTSD and nervous condition revised due to claimed CUE in a March 1971 rating decision.

The Veteran is found to be unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with secondary major depression, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU are met since March 17, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.